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        General >> Problems >> Help!!
        
(Message started by: ash on Mar 30^th, 2005, 10:09pm)

Title: Help!!
Post by ash on Mar 30^th, 2005, 10:09pm

Hello all , had a major problem today , was at a give way on a junction and all of a sudden couldn't change gear! Couldn't put the car in any gear so i forced it in 1st gear coz there was traffice building behind me , it drove ok for a mile or so then same thing couldn't get into gear ... any ideas?? I checked clutch brake fluid all topped ok. Car is a Scorpio 1997 R reg 2.3ghia manula 5 speed.

Title: Re: Help!!
Post by Eddie on Mar 31^st, 2005, 5:00am

Deja vu!

This happened to me on 2 occasions.

1. Problem with Gearbox to propshaft flexicoupling !
Not sure how this caused the problem,but the fix did the trick. I THINK it was loose bolts in the coupling.

2. broken clutch,actually the garage that fixed it didnt say wether it was the clutch or the release mechanism (hydraulic).

If you are able to engage a gear with engine off then I would suspect the clutch/release mechanism.
Dont rule out a problem with the hydrualic circuit.

I suspect (2.) was due to the release piston, as the syptoms were exactly the same as a snapped clutch cable on a previously owned Granada.

eddie

Title: Re: Help!!
Post by ash on Apr 14^th, 2005, 2:17am

Hello Eddie , thanks for the reply ... i got my clutch etc etc checked - all ok ??? So what i done is drained the current brake fluid and refilled with Castrol Dot 4 synthetic brake fluid ... and now its been 2 days gears have not got stuck since brake fluid change .... could this have been the problem , old fluid in car ?

Title: Re: Help!!
Post by Eddie on Apr 14^th, 2005, 4:55am

Wouldnt have thought so,very strange.
If the clutch cover was taken of to check then maybe the cause was rectified during this process.
Probably something like a sticking slave cylinder in the clutch.

eddie

Title: Re: Help!!
Post by daveyboy on Apr 14^th, 2005, 1:50pm

Hi Ash,
It could well be the fluid! Brake/clutch fluid is what is known as 'HYGROSCOPIC', which means it has the ability to absorb water. When this occurs, which happens over a period of time, the fluid loses its properties. Thereby, you don't get the full fluid pressure because of the water in the system! This is the reason why it is recommended to change the fluid in the brake/clutch system on a 12 to 24 month period!

Daveyboy

Title: Re: Help!!
Post by ash on Apr 14^th, 2005, 2:44pm

yeah daveboy thats what iwas thinking! Im 99.9% certain my gear problems were something to do with the brake fluid ... others might disagree but thats what it seems at the moment , now 3 days still smooth gear changes since brake fluid change.

Title: Re: Help!!
Post by Snoopy on Apr 14^th, 2005, 3:26pm

The hydroscopic effect of brake fluid does not affect its properties as a liquid in so much that is still a liquid and there is effectively non compressable which is why liquids are used.

what it does do is lower the boiling point of the brake fluid so say instead of it boiling at 205c. When its old and absorbed water it boils at say 140 C and these temperatures are easily atainable when braking, which is why sometimes people complain that after very heavy braking they loose the brakes (The fluid boils, and turns to vapur and as such is compressable) , but when it cools down again the brakes act normally because the vapour has condensed back to a liquid..

the water in the fluid would not affect the proerties as far as operation of the clutch was concerned. you could if you wanted use water! (NOT RECOMMENDED)

I think you have had a sticking slave/master cylinder and flushing the system has removed the cause possible some dirt or even some dirt trapped under the rubber seal making the seal ineffective.

More info is available here http://www.mg-sportcars.co.uk/Brake_Fluidsl_FA_Questions.htm

Title: Re: Help!!
Post by mr._floppy on Apr 14^th, 2005, 8:10pm

Why then do brake and car manufacturers use a fluid which is hydroscopic ? with all the fluid technology we have these days, surely there is a fluid available that has all the properties required but never requires changing.

Or would that deprive the motor industry of out and out profiteering from the beleagured motorist once again.

Title: Re: Help!!
Post by bazw on Apr 14^th, 2005, 9:24pm

the brake fluid is as you say cheap and so is what they use why spend cash if you dont have to plus you get the resales to change it

i remember a program on the making of the austin mini
and they spent a week trying to work out if they would use a door handle that cost 6 shillings or 8 shillings (30p or 40p for our younger readers)
in the end they went for you guessed it the 6s one ;D